Breadcrumb

Economy

Every year, the Columbia Basin Rural Development Institute (RDI) at Selkirk College takes stock of well-being in the Columbia Basin-Boundary region. This region wide check-up investigates a number of indicators across economic, social, cultural and environmental topics.

The 2017 Snapshot report is now available and highlights issues that may be cause for celebration or concern.

The Rural Development Institute’s Adopting Digital Technologies (ADT) pilot project was made possible by funding from the National Research Council.

This project was a true team effort that brought numerous departments and faculty together to help address the technological challenges and opportunities facing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Columbia Basin Boundary region.

The work of the RIC is based on regional priorities and partnerships with local and regional organizations and businesses. By supporting evidence-based planning and decision-making, the RIC aims to improve the economic climate of regional rural communities.

The RIC was formally established in 2006 to conduct a program of research in rural economic development. The position is supported through an endowment established under the BC Leading Edge Endowment Fund, which included matching funding from non-government sources.

The economy of British Columbia is important to Canada, as the province with the fourth highest Gross Domestic Product (Expenditure Based)i.1 Although the Columbia Basin-Boundary has a small population relative to the province, this region contributes greatly to the provincial economy in many ways. Economic indicators can help us better understand the economies of our region and individual communities, providing insight as to what is going well and what is in need of assistance. Such indicators can also help us gauge progress over time, as well as our performance relative to other places.

Economic development is the process of building strong, adaptive economies. Strategies driven by local assets and realities, a diverse industry base and a commitment to equality of opportunity and sustainable practices have emerged as those that will ensure a strong foundation for long-term stability and growth. Even within the parameters of these principles, what constitutes success in economic development and the specific strategies to accomplish it will look different from place to place.

This Action Plan includes a large number of priority actions that are critical if the community is to achieve its vision and goals during the upcoming period of substantial change. By expanding the municipal role to support collective action across all sectors, the City can continue to support community organizations and citizens to create and enjoy the high quality of life that we cherish in Revelstoke.